A spike in dissent nationwide shows that after years of economic stagnation, Russians’ patience with their government is wearing thin.
Pollsters report a sustained slump in Mr. Putin’s approval ratings in the last 12 months and a growing rejection of state television’s propaganda drumbeat.
Waves of protest have roiled Moscow since June, resulting in thousands of arrests and prompting the Kremlin to make rare concessions.
And despite the threat of arrest, dissenters like Mr. Gabyshev are willing to hold Mr. Putin directly responsible for their problems.
In an echo of how the Soviet Union treated dissidents, the shaman now faces incarceration in a mental institution.